Women love science, and that’s worth celebrating

They’re tracking dinosaurs, treating epilepsy, battling superbugs, figuring out quantum biophysics and working to save the environment for future generations – meet The University of Queensland’s women scientists.

Today is the inaugural United Nations Day for Women and Girls in Science, and UQ’s female science researchers, academics and promoters to delighted to have an opportunity to share the reasons they love science.

View a Storify summary of the campaign here.

Dr Shyuan Ngo, who works across the Queensland Brain Institute and the Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, is working to develop therapies for rare motor neuron disease (MND).

“Each new day in science holds the promise of breakthrough discoveries which could make a difference to the lives of people living with disease,” she said.

Women comprise 3352 of the 5664 students studying a science discipline in the Faculty of Science in 2016, and there are many more women studying science programs in other areas across the university.

The Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology’s Dr Claudia Vickers is working on a way to turn a chemical found in lemons and other citrus fruits to make clean, renewable jet fuel.

“I get to make new knowledge and create solutions with biology,” she said.

Media are welcome to speak to UQ’s women in science. Contact Katie Rowney, Katie.rowney@uq.edu.au or call 07 3365 3439 to arrange an interview.